Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla de Ometepe $34Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $121. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Isla de Ometepe and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla de Ometepe $11Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Best Western Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia/Tamarindo Guanacaste Airport: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Pastiempo Tamarindo: $20
- Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to Westin/Tamarindo: $22
- Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $38
- Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
- From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $67
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Isla de Ometepe change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayIsla de Ometepe $13Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Isla de Ometepe $13Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
- Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $44
- Tour of the Mangroves and Wetlands of Tamarindo by Boat: $45
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
- ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
- Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
- UTV Side By Side Off Road Tour Tamarindo Beach & Flamingo Beach: $65
- Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
- ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
- ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
- Turtle Watching Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla de Ometepe $8.85Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo than you might in Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In July, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Isla de Ometepe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during summer. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Isla de Ometepe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Isla de Ometepe often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe this time of the year. In the spring, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.